Pastors Gather At Stroger Hospital To Pray For Peace

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago pastors and community leaders gathered at Stroger Hospital on the West Side Tuesday morning to pray for peace, after the most violent weekend in the city this year. Police said 66 people were shot in Chicago and 12 died since Friday evening. The pastors came together to pray for the victims of gun violence, their loved ones and the staff at the hospital.

"We have to come together as a society. We have to come together as a church," said local pastor Darius Randle.

Randle said there needs to be more focus on jobs and community development in Chicago.

"Why is there such a focus on police, a focus on trauma? All the money is being spent there, and not being spent on job training and helping our communities find peace," Randle said.

The pastors were joined by Dr. Faran Bokhari, the chairman of the trauma team at Stroger Hospital.

"We need some sensible gun laws, and we're trying to get to an agreement as a country, but while we have strict gun laws in Chicago and Illinois, it doesn't help if our neighboring states don't agree with us," Bokhari said.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the shootings over the weekend weren't random — they were fueled by gangs.

Police said 30 people were shot in a three-hour span early Sunday morning. There were reports circulating that Stroger Hospital would be placed on lockdown to deal with the influx of trauma patients; however the hospital and police said the trauma unit didn't go on lockdown at any time over the weekend.

Friends and family of shooting victims gathered outside Stroger Hospital Sunday morning. The hospital had to limit visitation to only immediate family members so staff could focus on patient care, a hospital spokesperson said. Many grieving loved ones stood outside the emergency room doors and cried.

The families of shooting victims also prayed outside the hospital Tuesday morning.

Video via YouTube